Here is another “ness” word for you today—HOLINESS. We all know this word and it is very much part of our lives as wives and mothers. God wants us to enjoy a holy marriage, holy mothering, and to build a holy home.
Let’s talk about our marriage first. When a couple stands before the minister to take their marriage vows, he begins with the words: “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in HOLY matrimony . . . and therefore, is not by any, to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and solemnly. Into this HOLY estate these two persons present now come to be joined.”
Hebrews 13:4 (NET): “Marriage must be honored among all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers.” Marriage is a holy estate. Because God ordained it, it is sacred and to be set apart for Him. It is not something we take lightly because we are taking part in a God-ordained holy institution.
A holy marriage begins before marriage. It begins in the courting days of keeping ourselves pure and undefiled to come to the marriage as a virgin. It should be exemplified on the wedding day. It grieves my heart that so many young brides come to their wedding day exposing so much of their flesh. Most wedding dresses today are strapless and many show too much cleavage. Why would a holy daughter of God show off her flesh to all her guests? At some weddings you hardly know where to look. The beautiful wedding dress is spoiled by the low-cut dress and the same with all the bridesmaids. It’s no longer holy. I believe a virgin should come to the wedding covered! It is her husband’s privilege to uncover her.
We then continue to build a holy marriage. A holy marriage begins in the mind. The devil will try to bring tempting thoughts to your mind which you must constantly resist and cast off in the name of Jesus. Your marriage is exclusive to you and your husband, not to be shared with any other man. You would never think of meeting with another man for coffee or fellowship. Once you are married, you enjoy friendships with the opposite sex only with your husband, not on your own.
We need to be reminded again of the marriage vows. “I take you to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, and FORSAKING ALL OTHERS, keep myself ONLY unto you as long as we both shall live.”
Let’s remember we have been called into a holy estate.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell